Chapter 9 The Young Maiden
The Young Maiden
Aaliyah traded payment for the fruit in her basket. Zahra was quiet, her gaze focused on the fruit stand but her thoughts elsewhere. The vision of Asenath was stuck in her mind, and Zahra couldn’t get rid of the image.
Zahra took a deep breath while picking out some melons.
Aaliyah lingered by her side. “Zahra, are you well?”
“I am fine.” She forced a smile, remembering what they had been discussing before she had gotten lost in her thoughts. “What will your sister be serving at your celebration?”
Aaliyah looked unconvinced, but still she answered Zahra’s question. “I am bringing some dates, and my sister is making bread.”
“That sounds delicious,” Zahra said, leading her away from the fruit stand.
Aaliyah grinned. “It does. You should join us. We would love to host you.”
“Thank you for the invitation, Aaliyah, but I will be helping my master’s daughters tonight.”
Aaliyah nodded. “I thought you might. I hope—”
A gruff voice sounded from behind them. “Where were you last night?”
Namir was standing there, his face filled with frustration. Zahra turned to Aaliyah. “I am sorry. What were you saying?”
“Who is this?” Aaliyah smiled at Namir. “Are you one of the merchants visiting the area?”
Namir blinked hard. “I… Uh—”
“He takes care of my master’s horse,” Zahra cut in.
“So you work together, then?” Aaliyah grinned at Zahra and raised her eyebrows. “Is he transporting you and Bahiti’s daughters to the Feast?” She leaned closer, raising her eyebrows and lowering her voice. “If he is, you could celebrate together.”
Zahra laughed, and Namir’s eyes narrowed on her. “We are taking a boat, Aaliyah, but thank you for the suggestion.”
“Perhaps you can convince your master to bring him along.” Aaliyah winked and then bowed to them both. “I should finish my master’s errands. Enjoy your celebrations.”
“You as well, Aaliyah.”
Namir waited until Aaliyah was out of sight before he turned to Zahra. “What was she whispering about?”
Zahra scoffed. “Must you know everything, my King?”
“Yes.” Namir followed her as she began to walk away. “Where did you go? Ramses came to me after you disappeared, and we could not find you anywhere.”
Zahra slowed her pace. Namir looked for her? She did not think he would leave his spot at the entrance, much less join Ramses in search of her. “I was otherwise occupied.”
Namir laughed. “Doing what?”
Zahra avoided his gaze, and his smile faded. He turned away. “Was it my medjay?”
“No.” Zahra sighed, her grip tightening on the basket.
Eshe’s dress sat within it. She had debated telling him about Eshe all morning.
If Eshe was his intended bride, she would have less time to figure out how to save her father, but she knew he wouldn’t help her if she did not produce results. “I saw someone leaving early.”
Namir’s eyes sparkled. “Who—?”
The Ur brothers ran out from underneath a stall, shoved Zahra to the ground, and took the basket. She caught herself with her hands, jumping to her feet to chase after them. “No!”
Zahra froze, watching with surprise as the boys tumbled to the ground. Namir stood to her left, holding the basket. The Ur brothers stared at Namir with startled expressions. He cocked his head at them. “Who might these two be?”
Zahra couldn’t hide her smile. “The sons of Ur.” She dusted her dress off and placed her hands on her hips. “Well? Are you going to just lie there?”
Beb got to his knees, glaring up at Namir. “Who is this?”
Zahra smirked. “It does not matter.”
Namir handed her the basket. “Does this happen often?”
“More often than today, if that’s what you mean.”
The Ur brothers scampered to their feet, trying to run. Namir grabbed both of their arms. “Where do you think you are going?”
Beb tugged against Namir’s hand. “We only wanted to mess with her, sir.”
“Yeah,” Madu agreed.
Namir shot Zahra an amused smile before kneeling in front of the boys. “Your father is Ur, yes?”
“It is General Ur to you,” Beb spat. “My father led Aur in the Battle of Henen-nesut.”
“And won!” Madu chimed in.
Namir’s features tightened. Zahra moved closer to study his face, but his eyes quickly regained their playful aura. “I am sure your father would not be happy to learn you have been stealing fruit.”
“He does not care for sobkis like her,” Beb claimed. “Nor do I.”
Namir regarded the two with a scowl. He leaned forward, his face stern but his eyebrows raised in a teasing manner. “He will care if I speak to him.”
Madu scoffed. “Why would he listen to you?”
Namir smirked. “Because I am his King.”
Madu’s face lost its color, but Beb simply rolled his eyes. “You cannot be the King. He never comes to Illahun.”
Namir raised his eyebrows confidently. “And if I am?”
A stunned look crossed Beb’s face, and he blubbered a response. “I… I…”
Namir smiled and let the boys go. “Off with you. Do not steal fruit again.”
“Yes, my King.”
They tripped over each other as they scurried off into the crowd.
Zahra grinned. Namir stood and watched the boys with amusement. He turned to Zahra. “Who did you see leave early?”
Zahra’s smile faded, and she sighed. “Her name is Eshe.” She hesitated. “She lives here—in Illahun.”
“So you spoke to her?” Namir asked. “Where might I find her place of residence?”
“I don’t know if she is your bride,” Zahra started. “She seemed eager to leave. It was obvious something was on her mind.”
Namir grinned. “Perhaps because I was not there.”
Zahra gritted her teeth, forcing air out through her nose. “There may have been another reason.”
Namir leaned toward her. “I must check for the mark. Do you know where she lives?”
“Yes.” Zahra straightened her back and lifted her shoulders. “In fact, I am the one who makes the dress she wears to the Feast.”
Namir raised his eyebrows in disbelief. “You are a dressmaker.”
“Don’t look so surprised.” She stepped away from him, second-guessing telling him about Eshe at all. “Her home is this way.”
Zahra led Namir away from the marketplace, slowing her pace as they neared Fukayna’s estate.
“My King, I must warn you, she is not in the happiest of moods at this time of day.” At this time of day, it seemed Eshe wouldn’t go to the Feast at all.
Did the lack of Zahra’s visit have any influence on that, or did Fukayna force her daughter to go?
Namir grinned cheekily. “I am sure a visit from her King will cheer her up.”
Apprehension filled Zahra’s face.
He frowned. “What?”
“I don’t think you should approach her as the King. She will be overwhelmed.”
Namir scoffed. “It is not as if I am frightening.”
Zahra turned away. “Of course not…”
Namir sighed. “I do not want to lie to her.”
“You lied to my master,” Zahra pointed out. “To me.”
“That was different,” Namir claimed, throwing out his hands. “If she is indeed my bride—”
Zahra’s feet came to a stop, and he walked past her. “What if she does not want to marry you?”
Namir paused and glanced back at her. He laughed. “Please, if I picked her over everyone else—”
“But you don’t know that. Have you considered her thoughts? Her choice?”
Namir’s eyes narrowed, and Zahra realized she had struck a chord. “I did not mean to overstep, my King. I only meant—”
“I wouldn’t force her to be my wife,” he said bitterly. “She was always going to have a choice. The spell cannot end without the other’s consent.”
Zahra bit her cheek. Once again, she had spoken when she should have held her tongue. “I apologize, my King.”
Namir’s eyes narrowed. He gestured forward, and she swallowed and continued walking up the hill. Finally, they came to a stop on Fukayna’s doorstep.
She turned to Namir. “I will introduce you as a medjay, but I will not claim to know you.”
Namir stepped up to the door with a darkened expression. He lowered his hood, letting his curls fall loose around his face. “You don’t know me.”
The words sat on Zahra’s chest and swirled in her mind. She pushed them to the back of her thoughts, ignoring their echoes as she knocked on the door.
Faisal opened the door and smiled at Zahra. The corner of his mouth twitched as he saw Namir. “Zahra, it’s good to see you. And who is this?”
Zahra glanced at Namir. “A medjay. We came to the door at the same time. He has business with Eshe.”
“I see.” Faisal studied Namir up and down, eyeing his cloak. He stepped aside. “I will let my master know you are both here.”
Zahra and Namir wandered into the vestibule, standing several feet apart as they waited for Fukayna.
“No, Mwt.” Namir jumped as Eshe came stomping down the hallway. “I will not try on the dress. I am not going to the Feast!”
Fukayna ran after her. “You must! Can you not see, child? Your reasoning will be your undoing!”
“I am not going!”
Namir turned to Zahra as Eshe sobbed out of sight. Zahra shrugged. She’d tried to warn him.
Fukayna entered the vestibule after a few minutes. “I apologize for keeping you waiting.” She smiled at Namir first. “I heard you have business with my daughter?”
Namir bent his torso, his fist against his chest. “Yes. I am Commander Namir. I am on business from the King.”
Fukayna’s brows knitted together. “From the King?”
Namir nodded.
Fukayna lifted her head. “Yes, well… I will fetch her.” She turned to Zahra. “Would you—”
“I don’t mind waiting,” Zahra assured with a smile.
Fukayna dipped her head in gratitude before leaving the room. Another shout and sob came from Eshe’s room. After some faded sounds of Fukayna’s stern voice, the two returned to the vestibule.
Eshe had cleaned her face, but her puffy, red eyes were obvious. She forced a smile and bowed. “Commander, it is good to meet you. I have heard the King has need of me.”
To Zahra’s surprise, Namir did not reply. He stood still, staring at Eshe with hesitation. Eshe’s smile faded as Namir studied her face. What appeared to be obvious dislike and apprehension crossed his features.